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first hang in nx250 impressions

So my nx250 arrived today. Bought it used off the forums here.

Man I was excited to set it up, unfortunately it was raining today, but that just gave it the real outdoors flavor

I wish the tree straps had multiple hook points on the strap. The hammock had whoopies pre-installed, which I augmented with a carabiner. It made set up super easy, but I had to do thinks kind of strange to make the length right.

I used the carabiner as a jump ring between the tree strap and the whoopie. Is that a common way of doing things?

I accidentally setup up with a big cross breeze, and the hammock kept flipping over and blowing like a kite. A nice lesson learned for the future, but I just tossed some stuff into the pockets and it was fine.

I was so scared to sit in it for the first time! I was sure I was gonna just rip it to shreds, but it held me up just fine

How taught should the roof be inside? Maybe I didn't hang with the correct tension, but I was expecting the top to be much tighter than it was (like a tent!) but it was droopy and billowy. Not hanging in my face or anything though.

I couldn't figure out how to hang the fly. Is there any connection between the fly and the hammock? Or does it just tie to the tree on its own and then to tie off points on the ground? Do I just tie from the grommets on the ends with separate lines? Or should there be a ridge line that makes the "crease" in the fly?

I got a compression sack for the hammock, and it shoves everything down to about 1/2 of the size with just the stuff sack! they should add compression straps built in!

the weather shield should be taught, but not overly tight. without you in the hammock, it is going to be droopy, but once you are in it, the tension should be good to go.try tightiening up the main lines a bit to ge tthe right amount of tension to start.

Congratulations on your new hammock. I use a caribiner between the whoopies and tree straps also, as you learn more from the more experienced hangers here you will probably try a lot of different ways, I have. Don't worry about sitting in it., sit,lay, toss and turn a little, get comfortable. With practice you will be able to eyeball the sag and get real close if not right on. I set mine up so the weathershield is loose untill I lay down. the zipper should close without too much resistance, if you set up too tight the zipper is hard to close, too loose and the weathershield will sag. As far as the tarp goes, it sets up independently from the hammock. Either tye from each side or one continuous line your choice. Again probably gonna try different setups. Have fun.

Clark has a brand new video that is specific to the NX-250. It shows exactly how the hammock should look when it is hung. You can see just how much sag is in the weathershield. If it is strung too tightly, there is way too much strain on the zippers when you put your weight into the hammock. You may not even be able to close the zippers if too tight. Also, when the hammock is strung with the amount of sag shown in the video, it gives you the best lay for comfort in the hammock. The tarp is completely separate, allowing you to put up the tarp in foul weather, then string up the hammock while protected under the tarp. Also, if the weather is good, but you have a few doubts that it will remain that way all night, simply string the tarp but leave it in snakeskins or lacking those, just a few ties along it to keep it furled and out of the way. Enjoy the stars, then if needed you can deploy the tarp quickly. Here is a link to the Clark video:http://www.junglehammock.com/models/nx250/index.php